Do you want an antagonistic society pitted against religious voices?

By Denis Dragovic

10 October 2018 — 1:34pm

As the 2018 Nobel prize for economics was awarded to two researchers linking economics to climate change, we are once again reminded to listen to the science. Yet when it comes to religion, the same voices hardly whisper their acknowledgment of the research that shows positive outcomes to individuals and society.

Responding robustly to the Ruddock review on religious freedom will be an opportunity for Prime Minister Scott Morrison to express his personal convictions.Credit:AAP

This blind spot is starting to emerge on radio and in newspapers following Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s support for greater protections against religious discrimination and having notably abstained in the same-sex marriage vote. Responding robustly to the Ruddock review on religious freedom will be an opportunity for the Prime Minister to express his personal convictions and build credibility among conservatives, but most importantly acknowledge that religion is good for society.

When he does, expect to hear experts in various fields not related to the study of religion and opinionated commentators snidely remark on his Pentecostal beliefs, dismiss religion as being an unhealthy delusion, refer to the royal commission into child sexual abuse, decry church wealth and blame religion for the world’s wars.

They won’t admit what a growing amount of research supports — religion is good for you and the community.

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Here’s some of the research. Belief in a religion helps with mental health as it promotes self-control and self-regulation. Systematic reviews of the many studies undertaken show a consistent result; religious people are less depressed, have lower rates of suicidal ideation, substantially lower alcohol and drug abuse, perform better at school, have more stable marriages and fewer personality disorders.

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Other reputable research suggests that religious people adopt healthy behaviours that lower the rates of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, dementia, immune and endocrine disorders, and cancer.

If you’re not too concerned about your health but more worried about your safety, then consider this. In research combining all studies on religion and youth crime across a 45-year period in the United States, religion was found to play a statistically significant role in lower rates of delinquency. Other studies show religious people of all ages are significantly less likely to commit crimes.

A recent report in Australia revealed that those who found religion became more generous, giving 1.5 times more to charities and 1.7 times more volunteering time. This type of activity is a major contributor to strengthening the ties that bind society together, something known as social capital.

Even when it comes to conflict around the world, the naysayers on religion have it wrong. A study of nearly 2000 wars through history found that historically 7 per cent were religious wars and only 2 per cent of all deaths were from religious wars.

With so much rigorously researched evidence, you would think prison officials dealing with over-crowding or health experts interested in better outcomes would be racing to engage with religious groups. Sadly, this is not the case.

Bible belt: Israel Folau received calls for his sacking.Credit:AAP

We live in a time when religion is seen as bad, being religious as showing poor judgment and practising religion as deserving of contempt.

Yet an Australia without a public presence of religious groups would be unrecognisable. Nearly two-thirds of all aged care services are provided by religious groups, one-third of students in Catholic schools are non-Catholic and nearly a quarter of all charities are religious. This collaboration between government and religious groups began in the earliest days of settlement and has continued through to today, contributing to Australia’s unique social structures.

When the government releases its response to the Ruddock review, consider what type of Australia you want to live in.

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Do you want an increasingly antagonistic society pitted against religious voices? Recall the reception Israel Folau received, including calls for his sacking and ban from travel to New Zealand, for having dared to provide a stock standard interpretation of a particular passage from the Bible. Or the case of Hobart Archbishop Julian Porteous, who was hauled before a tribunal for distributing a book supporting traditional marriage. These are powerful people who can afford to stand up for their faith.

Others in local congregations and community groups with mortgages and three kids will understandably not be so brave.

Without some form of religious protection these people won’t be willing to publicly embrace their faith for fear of a costly lawsuit or public shaming. They will turn inwards avoiding secular society. As they do, it’s not religious communities who will suffer. The benefits stay with them.

Instead, we will all be worse off because whether it’s lower crime, increased social capital or strong charities, the way religion is practised in Australia makes it a social good that needs to be protected for the benefit of us all.

Dr Denis Dragovic is an honorary senior fellow at the University of Melbourne and a specialist on the role of religion and society.